newel
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Ornamented newel (2) at the foot of a staircase.
See also: Newel
English
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Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Anglo-Norman nuel, Middle French nuel, of uncertain origin.
Noun
newel (plural newels)
- (architecture) A central pillar around which a staircase spirals.
- Synonym: spindle
- (architecture) A sturdy pillar at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs, supporting the handrail.
- Synonym: newel post
- 1943, Raymond Chandler, The High Window, Penguin, published 2005, page 238:
- We went along the hall to the end and up a flight of stairs with a carved handrail and newel post.
Translations
central pillar of staircase
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pillar supporting the handrail
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Etymology 2
From new + -el, modelled after novel (“new, original”).
Noun
newel (plural newels)
- (obsolete) A novelty; a new thing.
- 1882: Edmund Spenser (Alexander Balloch Grosart, ed) The Complete Works in Verse and Prose of Edmund Spenser
- He was so enamoured with the newel.
- 1882: Edmund Spenser (Alexander Balloch Grosart, ed) The Complete Works in Verse and Prose of Edmund Spenser
